Rapper Capital Steez of Pro Era Dead at 19

Capital Steez, an up-and-coming rapper in the Brooklyn-based Pro Era collective, died on Monday morning. Steez, real name Jamal Dewar, was 19.

The rapper's friend and collaborator Joey Bada$$ announced the news on Twitter, saying, "This unfortunate xmas eve… Lost a best friend, a brother, a pro, a partner. Letting go is never easy."

Bada$$ goes on to say that "part of me doesn't believe this." Other members of New Era to post comments include Chuck Strangers and CJ Fly. This week the rap collective released the mixtape, "PEEP: The Aprocopalypse" on Cinematic Affairs. Label CEO Johnny Shipes also confirmed the death on Twitter, writing "R.I.P. STEEZ."

Further details on the cause of death have not been disclosed, however there is speculation that the rapper may have committed suicide as his final message on Twitter reads, simply, "The end."